
THE COMING OF 
THE MAYFLOWER 




A PILGRIM PAGEANT 

prepared by 

THE YOUTH'S COMPANION 

from a text by Miss Rosamond I^imball, and published 
in connection with the issue for October 14, 1920. 



Fir 



Copyright, 1920. 

BY 

Perry Mason Company. 



OCT 2B 1920 



-p^ 



PSI.D 05887 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

A PILGRIM PAGEANT 



December 21, 1920, marks the three-hundredth anniversary of the 
landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Celebrations of the memorable 
event will be held then and at other times during the following year. 
With that fact in mind The Youth's Companion publishes this Pilgrim 
Pageant, which even small communities can give with very little 
trouble or expense. 

The Cast or Characters: Gov. Carver; Gov. Bradford (who suc- 
ceeded him) ; Capt. Myles Standish, Elder Brewster, John Alden, Mr. 
Winslow, Mr. Allerton, Dr. Fuller, John Rowland; twelve more Pil- 
grim men; Love and Wrestling Brewster (young boys, sons of Elder 
Brewster) ; Bartholomew, or Bartle, Allerton (a youth) ; Mistress 
Brewster, Mistress Carver, Priscilla Mullins, Elizabeth Tillie; other 
Pilgrim women and children; a sailor of the crew of the Mayflower; 
Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoags; Samoset, Pemaquid Indian 
chief; Squanto, an Indian; several other Indians; the Spirit of the 
Past; the Guardian Spirit of the Pilgrims; the Spirit of the Wilder- 
ness; the Spirit of America. 

The Episodes: 

I. The Landing of the Pilgrims. 

II. The First Winter. 

III. The First International Treaty. 

IV. The First Thanksgiving Day. 

At intervals the Spirit of the Past, a young girl dressed in flowing 
robes, appears before the curtain and explains the progress of the story. 
The episodes should follow one another as quickly as possible, and 
soft music should be played during the changing of the scenes. The 
scenery should be planned in such a way that it can be changed with 
ease. 



The audience rises and sings the hymn that begins, "O God, beneath 
thy guiding hand our exiled fathers crossed the sea." At the close of the 
hymn the Spirit of the Past, a young girl dressed in a flowing purple 
robe, appears before the curtain. She wears a tunic of lighter shade 
over the robe and carries a spray of palm or of laurel in her right hand. 
Round her brow is a fillet of laurel leaves. 



4 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

Spirit of the Past: 

We meet in memor>- of the time 

Our fathers crossed the lonely sea 

To open, in an alien clime, 

A road for human liberty ; 

To blaze the trail that multitudes 

Of questing hearts thenceforward trod. 

Who would not rest until they gained 

Unshackled right to worship God. 

(Her tone changes, and she turns and makes a slight backward gesture.) 

The wild young Spirit of the Wilderness 

Here first you shall behold 

With her strong Indian sons, all sorrowless. 

Untamed and free and bold. 

Then you shall hear above the savage din 

A strain of solemn song. 

And see the Pilgrim company led in. 

Wayworn — but glad and strong. 

(She turns and throws the curtain open. As it rolls back she disappears 
by the way she came.) 



EPISODE I. 

THE LANDING OF THE PILC.RIMS. 

(A clearing at the edge of a forest. Cedars, pines and other small 
evergreen trees arc used to give the effect of woods. To the sound of 
soft music a figure, the Spirit of the Wilderness, appears in the back- 
ground and moves slowly among the trees. Her costume consists of a 
fawn-colored tunic, moccasins of the same color and an Indian head- 
dress of bright feathers. On her flowing hair is a garland of grapevines, 
and there is a border of green leaves on her skirt. Suddenly she darts 
out into the open, pauses, and flings up her arms. The music stops.) 

Spirit of the Wilderness: 

Hail, glorious sun and harvest moon ! 
Hail, ripened fields of yellow corn. 
And purple grapes and crimson fruit ! 
Hail, forests, where by sheltered ways 
The swift bird and the wild deer flee ! 
Hail, mighty rivers, in whose tides 
The silver salmon leap and splash ! 
Hail, creeks and roaring waterfalls, 
And crystal lakes among the hills ! 
Hail, curving coasts with cape and bay! 
Hail, ocean thundering on my rocks! . 
All hail, Great Spirit, giver of all ! 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER S 

(She turns and looks backward.) 

Hail, children of this broad, fair land — ■ 
The Spirit of the Wild doth call ! 

(Places her hands bugle-wise to her lips.) 

Yo ! ho! 0-0-0 ! Yo ! ho-o-ooo! 

(As her cry dies away an Indian chief stalks out of the forest on the 
left. The Indian turns and beckons. Other Indians appear, and beckon 
in their turn to others. The Spirit of the Past withdraws a little to the 
left and stands watching. The chief picks up a rude drum and begins 
to beat on it. The other Indians crouch and keep time with their feet as 
they begin the movements of a tribal dance. The drumbeats come 
faster, and the dance grows wilder; the braves begin to leap and yell.) 

(The Spirit of the Wilderness staiids radiant in her barbaric beauty. 
She waves her arms and sways with the rhythm of the music. All at 
once she stops and stands in a listening attitude, then starts forward 
with one arm uptlung in warning.) 

Spirit of the Wilderness: Hark ! 

(The dance halts, and the Indians stand hke statues. There is a sound 
of singing in the distance. As it grows louder the braves steal away one 
by one into the forest. The Spirit of the Wilderness, fleeing after them, 
pauses at the edge of the clearing to listen in awe. The singing comes 
nearer and nearer.) 

Voices: 

O God, our help in ages past. 
Our hope for years to come. 
Our shelter from the stormy blast. 
And our eternal home. 

(At the beginning of the second verse a band of Pilgrims enter from 
the right. Six or nine men come first, walking three abreast, each with 
his gun on his shoulder. Gov. Carver in a long, black robe comes 
next, with Elder Brewster and Capt. Myles Standish. They are fol- 
lowed by other Pilgrim men. Then come the women, leading their little 
children by the hand. All arc dressed in the Puritan costume. The men 
wear knee breeches, full capes and broad-brimmed hats; the women, 
gray dresses with white kerchiefs and cuffs. The children's costume is 
much like that of their elders.) 

(During the singing of the third and fourth verses the Pilgrims move 
slowly across the clearing. At the end of the fourth verse Gov. Carver 
steps forward, turns toward the group and holds up his hand. The 
company bow their heads.) 



6 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

Gov. Carver pra>s: Lord, who hast brought us over the vast and 
furious ocean, and delivered us safely from all the perils 
thereof, we do give Thee humble thanks that Thou hast 
led us safe to land and set our feet on the firm and 
stable earth. Here we do covenant to set up in this 
wilderness with thy guidance a state where men shall 
be free to worship as they will. God of our fathers, 
guide us with thy hand, shelter us with thy wing, and 
show us thy salvation. 

Company: Amen. 

(After a moment of silence the company, singing the first verse of 
the hymn again, or else chanting the o7th Psalm, pass out of the clear- 
ing, at the left. As the singing grows faint and fainter in the distance, 
the Spirit of the Wilderness steps into view. She gazes after the Pilgrims 
in breathless wonder. Then she points toward the right.) 

(She speaks.) 

Lo, a new day is breaking in the east ; 
A form comes, strange and bright. 
What means this light? 

(A shaft of light falls across the clearing from the right. At this point 
soft music begins and lasts throughout the remainder of the scene. The 
Guardian Spirit of the Pilgrims appears at the farther end of the path 
of light. She wears a flowing robe with a gold-colored girdle. On her 
dark blue coronet the word LIBERTY appears in letters of gold.) 

(The Spirit of the Wilderness moves forward and sj>eaks.) 

I know not whence thy face. 
Liberty ! 

But make this land thy home. 
Thy feet shall walk its ways, 
Thy light its hills shall bless — 
I, Spirit of the Wilderness, 
I bid thee come ! 

(Kneeling, she holds out her arms.) 

(Cj4rtain.) 

(The Spirit of the Past appears again and speaks.) 

The autumn past, upon that northern land 

Fell bitter winter's breath. 

Sore trials took the faithful Httle band — 

Famine and woe and death. 

The lurking enemy was ever near. 

And hearts were sore afraid. 

But still they struggled on through hope and fear. 

Sturdy and undismayed. 

And wrought, and dreamed, and prayed. 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 7 

(She opens the curtains with a gesture, then departs. The curtains roll 

back.) 



EPISODE II. 

THE FIRST WINTER. 

(The setting is the same as in Episode I with the addition of a iire in 
the foreground and of the rough side of a cabin — the Common House — 
indicated in the background. The side of the cabin can be put up before 
the play begins and kept concealed during the first episode by the trees 
and undergrowth. The appearance of a fire is given by piling fagots 
above a red lantern, with red tissue paper set between the sticks to 
represent flames. Elder Brewster, his wife and their two little sons, 
Wrestling and Love, are huddled round the fire.) 

Elder Brewster (reading from the open Bible on his knee): "He 
that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall 
abide under the shadow of the Almighty." 

Love (pointing to the forest) : Father! Methought I saw a savage on 
yonder hill ! 

Brewster: Nay, nay. The sentinel will give the alarm if danger 
threaten. 

Wrestling (shrinking against his mother) : Methought I heard their 
war cry, mother ! 

(A wailing cry is heard in the distance.) 

Mistress Brewster (stroking the boy's head): Nay, child; it is the 
wolves. 

Brewster: Peace, my sons. It is written here that under his wings 
we shall trust. 

(Reads on) : "His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt 
not be afraid for the terror by night nor for the arrow 
that flieth by day ; nor for the pestilence that walketh 
in darkness — " 

Mistress Brewster: Ay, the pestilence! But already that hath 
stricken down many of us. 

Brewster: Nay, but listen. (Continues to read aloud. As he reaches 
the end of the fifteenth verse the cabin door opens and 
Capt. Myles Standish comes out.) 

Capt. Standish: Mistress Brewster, I am most unwilling to break in 
upon thine hour of rest, but we are in sore straits 
yonder. (He looks toward the Common House.) 



; THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

Mistress Brewster (rising hurriedly): Are more fallen ill of the 
fever? Mistress Winslow — is she worse? 

Standish: Mistress Winslow is going fast, and twelve more have 
been taken down with the fever. 

Mistress Brewster: I will go without delay. 

(As she turns toward the house Wrestling, shivering and crying, 
catches hold of her skirts) : Mother, I am so cold! 

Mistress Brewster (laying her hand on his forehead) : His temples 
are hot ; I fear he is sickening for the fever. 

Brewster: There is the doctor yonder; he will see to the child. 

(Dr. Fuller crosses the clearing on his way to the cabin.) 

Dr. Fuller: None other of our number ill, I trust? (Takes the 
child's hand.) Ay, this boy is feverish ; he must get to bed. 

Mistress Bre^vster (anxiously): Come, my child. 

Fuller: Mistress Priscilla Mullins, who hath been nursing her 
whole household, is taken down. I have placed her in the 
cabin under Mistress Carver's care, lest she try to rise 
and go to them. 

Mistress Brewster: Alas, poor maid! 

Fuller (looking at her keenly as she lifts the child): Mistress 
Brewster, thou, too, art flushed. 

Brewster: Thou art half sick thyself, dear wife, with days and 
nights of vigil. Here, give me the child. (He takes the 
boy from her.) 

Fuller: Woman, thou must spare thyself. God knows we shall need 
thy help this night! 

Brewster: I will nurse these poor souls in her place. 

Standish: Thy husband and I will tend the sick in thy stead. 
Mistress Brewster. 

Mistress Brewster: But thou, too, art worn with long vigil, Capt. 
Standish. Da\' and night thou hast cared for the sick and 
the dying as tenderly as any woman. 

Brewster (pausing in the doorway): Fully half our number herein, 
tossing with fever and nigh unto death ! I wish that our 
house were ready, wife, for there will be scant rest for 
thee in here. 

Standish: Ay, but for the foul weather we should have had 
• other houses built before this grievous pestilence came 
upon us. 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 9 

Mistress Brewster: Let us thank God that we have at least two 
houses. (She enters the cabin, followed by her husband, 
with the boy, and Capt. Standish. The other boy stays 
behind. ) ' 

(John Alden, muffled in his cape, strides across the clearing and 
knocks at the cabin door. Capt. Standish opens the 
door.; 

John Alden: I have brought the physic that Dr. Fuller did send for. 
How is Mistress Priscilla ? 

Standish: She is sore beset with fever, alas! 

Alden (turning away his head): I have but just come from the 
other house; her mother hath one hour ago passed to 
her rest. Priscilla must not know of it; she might not 
bear the shock. 

Standish: Nay. Yet happily she hath her youth. I must return now 
to the other sick. Go take thy rest, lad, until thy time 
of nursing, at midnight. (He turns back into the cabin.) 

(Alden seats himself by the fire and buries his head in his hands. 
Mistress Carver, carrying a large kettle, comes out of the house.) 

Alden (starting up): Mistress Carver! How is Priscilla Mullins? 

Mistress Carver: She sleepeth at last, poor maid, little dreaming 
that by another morrow she will be an orphan. 

Alden (takes the kettle, places it on the hook, and stirs the fire) : 
Hath her fever abated at all ? 

Mistress Carver (with a wan smile) : Ay, she is better, lad. (Her 
voice trembles.) But this night, John Alden, four more 
of our number will have found their rest. 

Alden (kneeling by the fire, looks up with a groan) : Hath God 
altogether forgotten us ? 

Mistress Carver (laying her hand on his shoulder, her face suddenly 
alight): Nay, God is our refuge and strength, a very 
present help in trouble ; therefore will we not fear ! 

(As she speaks the Guardian Spirit of the Pilgrims comes forward 
silently and stands just behind the pair with her hand 
upraised in blessing. Alden kneels by the fire, looking up 
into Mistress Carver's face.) 



(Curtain falls for a brief time to rep- 
resent the passage of three months.) 



10 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

(The Spirit of the Past steps before the curtain and speaks.) 

Spring came, and freed the frozen rills, 
And made the meadows green and new. 
In beauty on the wooded hills 
A starry blossom blew. 
Mayflower they named it, for the love 
Of English May ; and watched it come, 
And smiled its perfect leaves above, 
With hearts still faint for home. 
And while they yearned, their sturdy ship 
Strained at her moorings even then. 
And called them for the outward trip — 
England, and port, and peace again; 
But tempted them in vain. 

(She opens the curtain and disappears as it rolls back.) 

(John Alden is chopping wood. He pauses, leans on his axe and gazes 
through the trees. Priscilla Mullins steals up behind him softly and 
stands still, watching him. Suddenly she laughs aloud. Alden turns with 
a start.) 

Priscilla (clapping her hands): Fie, John, thou didst start as 
though I were an Indian ! Tell me, at what art thou 
gazing in so brown a study ? 

Alden: I was looking at the Mayflower. (He leads her toward the 
right and points.) See, her sails are unfurled, and there 
is much stir on board. 

Priscilla (suddenly serious) : She doth set sail to-morrow, John. 

Alden: Ay. 

Priscilla: And that is why I have come to thee, in the midst of thy 
work, for I would fain send a letter to my cousin to 
advise her of all that hath befallen us since we did set 
sail from Holland. (She turns sharply and looks up into 
his face with a catch of the breath.) Alas, John, what 
hath not befallen us? All my dear ones now lie yonder 
on the hill — and I am left in this wilderness alone ! 

Alden (taking both her hands and looking down at her): Nay, 
Priscilla, thou art not left alone. When our house is 
ready, for which I even now fell the logs, we shall be 
wed, as well thou knowest. 

Priscilla (smiling through her tears) : Ay, John, forgive my hasty 
speaking. (She brushes away her tears and smiles again.) 
See ! I have brought paper and pen and inkhorn. Thou 
wilt write my letter as I tell it to thee. 

(Alden seats himself and takes pen and paper, and Priscilla holds 
the inkhorn near at hand. She dictates while he writes.) 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 11 

Priscilla: The Settlement of New Plymouth. March the twenty- 
first, in the year of our Lord 1621. 

(Bartle Allerton, a boy, comes running from the wood.) 

Bartle: Alden ! John Alden ! 

Alden: Here I am, boy. Why dost thou rend the air with thy howls? 

Bartle: I did see twelve savages by the pond in the forest. 

Alden: Savages! Twelve savages! (He starts to his feet.) 

Bartle: Ay, and they were carrying bows and arrows. 

Alden: We must at once give the warning! (He snatches up his 
matchlock and takes Priscilla by the hand; they hurry 

away.) 

(As they disappear two Indians walk into the clearing. One of them 
picks up the axe, examines it with grunts of satisfaction, and sticks it 
into his belt. Several other Indians come forward into the clearing. 
They examine the inkhorn and the pen and paper curiously, and finally 
go off with all the trophies.) 

(After a moment there is a sound of voices in the distance. Capt. 
Standish, Alden and Bartle enter, followed by several other men with 
matchlocks. Capt. Standish wears armor, which consists of corselets of 
steel, a morion, or mihtary hat, of the same material, and a sword. The 
corselets can be made of pasteboard painted gray ; they should be fas- 
tened by means of strips over the shoulders and at the sides. Use the 
same material for the morion, which is described in most dictionaries. 
The sword is of wood painted steel color, and is thrust through a 
leather belt at the side.) 

Bartle: They did glide into the forest east of the duck pond yonder. 

Standish: Well, lead on, boy! I would see them with mine eyes. 

Alden (stopping) : Stay ! Some one hath been here in my absence 
and taken my good axe ! 

Standish: And left a blotch of ink in its stead! 

Alden: The inkhorn, too, is gone. (Looks confused, then begins to 
explain.) I was writing for Mistress Priscilla when — 

Standish (interrupting): Be on thy guard I (He points toward the 
forest.) There are forms in the wood! 

Alden: Savages! (He peers through the trees.) Seven or morel 

Standish: Forward! March! (They march to the edge of the 
clearing.) 

Alden: But now they have fled! 



12 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

Standish : After them ! If they meditate aught of ill we will have it 
of them without delay ! 

(They march out on the double-quick. After a moment or two the 
men re-enter the clearing.) 

Standish : Gone ! And so long as these savages do no more than 
skulk about, we will not be the aggressors. But with the 
tirst arrow they shall see that we are ready for the 
encounter. There are nineteen stout-hearted men among 
us; we can put to flight a wilderness of savages! (They 
pass out. Alden lingers, searching the ground.) 

Alden: Her letter, too, is gone. (He returns and begins to peer into 
the bushes. At a slight noise he wheels with leveled 
matchlock. A sailor steps into the open. He is barefoot 
and wears the seafaring dress of those times: knee 
breeches, a short-sleeved blouse and a red headkerchief.) 



Sailor (raising his hand) 
shoot ? 



Stay ! A friend, man ! Why so swift to 



Alden (lowering his weapon with a laugh) : The savages have but 
now stolen my axe, and I did think they had returned 
for my scalp ! 

Sailor: Ay, ay ; and like enough they will get it, too, erelong ! 

Alden (with a laugh): Nay, Jack, thou art overgloomy with thy 
fears. 

Sailor: We sail to-morrow morn, Alden, if the wind be favorable. 

Alden: I cannot take my eyes from the Mayflower. It doth grieve 
me to see her go ; but our kinsfolk and friends will be 
right glad of news of us. 



Sailor (seating himself on a log) 
return with us? 



Can no one persuade you to 



Alden: Return ! Why, I do chop the logs for my cabin, man — for my 
own home ! 

Sailor: But what doth it profit you to stay? As things have fallen 
out naught but evil hath come to the colony. Last winter 
— God preserve us! Ye can never live through another 
like it ! Naught but a handful of you left ; the wilderness 
filled with savages. Indeed, I do believe no single man of 
all the colony will stand upon yonder shore to greet the 
Mayflower if ever she return ! 

Alden (laying his hand upon the sailor's shoulder): Peace, Jack; 
you'll find us here and prospering when you come back. 
And you'll bring others tQ join us, too. 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 13 

Sailor (with a grunt): Others! To die of the pestilence and starve 
and fall by the tomahawk ? 

Alden (turning his head and gazing again toward the ship) : Ay, but 
no great thing ever yet did come to man save by the 
road of toil and pain. 

Sailor: But what is this great thing for which ye look? 

Alden (straightening his shoulders and throwing back his head) : 
Freedom to do that which our conscience doth direct. 
Thou knowest that we did have no freedom of that sort 
in the Old World. But here I can build me a house 
where I may worship God as I will. 

Sailor: Unless the savage prevents you in the midst of your building. 
Merrie England for me! (He rises.) Not one of the com- 
pany will return with us, you think? 

Alden (raising his voice) : Not one of us! I can answer for them all. 
We do stay here with our God, to build in the wilder- 
ness for our children and our children's children a 
temple of freedom. 

Sailor (holding out his hand) : Farewell, and may we still find you 
here when the Mayflower comes again ! 

Alden: Farewell, Jack! We shall all be on the beach to-morrow 
morn to wish you Godspeed. 

(The sailor goes away. Alden leans on his matchlock and gazes 
toward the Mayflower. The Guardian Spirit appears at the opposite 
side of the clearing, behind him. Soft, solemn music is heard.) 

Guardian Spirit (looking out over the audience): 

O little ship; thy God-appointed task is o'er, 

Thy precious freight safe landed on the wild, stern 

shore. 
Through storm and tempest thou didst bear them on, 
Thy timbers sprung, thy straining bulwarks torn. 
Till, like a storm-tossed bird, thou drove at last 
Unto the shore, with wind-rent sail and shattered 

mast. 
O cradle of a new world's hope ! when thy white sails 

unfurled, 
God hid within thy fragile shell the freedom of a 

world I 
Now as thy parting sail fades from the Pilgrims' 

view, 
Beside their loved ones' graves they stand, brave 

hearts and true ! 
Not one returned of all that little band ! 
Not one sought safety in their native land ! 
Encompassed by the wilderness, they sing ! 
Secure beneath the shadow of God's wing. 



14 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

(There is a moment of silence, and then a chorus of voices is heard 
singing in the distance the first, second and fourth verses of the hymn 
"O God, our help in ages past." A psalm may be chanted instead of 
the hymn, as the Pilgrims sang psalms instead of hymns. But this 
hymn, written by Isaac Watts a century later, is so appropriate that 
it is given at the expense of historical accuracy. As the voices sing the 
first verse the Guardian Spirit lifts her hand in blessing. The curtain 
falls during the singing of the second verse, and the last verse is heard 
after the curtain falls.) 

(The Spirit of the Past appears and recites selected verses from the 
Boston Hymn, by Ralph Waldo Emerson.) 



EPISODE III. 

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL TREATY. 

(The interior of Gov. Carver's house. The appearance of a room is 
given by concealing the trees at the sides and background of the stage 
with screens and curtains. There is one door at the back and another 
at the left side. A window also is indicated. The furnishings include: 
a rough table, a settle, a rag rug, a spinning wheel, severaLold straight- 
back chairs, a pair of ancient brass candlesticks and a shelf on which 
pewter and china dishes are ranged. Mistress Carver is seated at her 
spinning wheel on one side of the hearth. On the other side John Alden 
is cleaning his gun. Priscilla is removing dishes from the table.) 

Priscilla (pausing in her work): Have an end to the polishing of 
thy matchlock, John, or it will dazzle the poor savage's 
eyes ! 

Alden: And there may be grave enough need, erelong, for it to 
dazzle them ! 

Priscilla: Nay, but thou'll have no matchlock left if thou do poHsh 
it more. 

Mistress Carver: How manv savages were there, thinkst thou, 
John? 

Alden: But a handful, which fled at the captain's approach. Scouts, 
mayhap. 

Mistress Car^^er: 'Tis the hour for the meeting that the governor 
hath called. 

Priscilla: Ay, and all would be ready for the assembling if yon 
lusty lad would but pause long enough in his scrubbing 
to help me move this table to the centre of the room. 

(Alden springs to his feet and pulls the table into place.) 

Mistress Carver (looking from the window): Capt. Standish and 
other of the men are coming. I will call my husband. 
(She goes out.) 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER IS 

(Standish enters by the side door with nineteen followers, and 
Mistress Priscilla greets them gracefully. The governor and his wife 
enter, and after a further exchange of greetings the newcomers seat 
themselves at the table. A number of women come in and group 
themselves round the room.) 

Carver: Bring ink and paper for Master Howland, that he may 
inscribe the proceedings of this, our Jirst town meeting, 
and place them on the records of Plymouth. 

(Mistress Carver takes writing materials from the mantel and hands 
them to Alden. He places them before Howland, who is seated at the 
governor's left.) 

Carver (rising): In view of the danger from the Indians which 
doth threaten us, I have summoned the freemen of this 
colony, that we may take counsel together for our 
mutual defense. For inasmuch as the Mayflower hath 
set sail the Indians, thinking that we are now alone in 
the wilderness, have been skulking about, and it is im- 
perative that we prepare for a sudden attack. I call first 
upon Capt. Myles Standish to speak to us; and then the 
meeting will be open for all who may have further sug- 
gestions to make. 

Standish (rising): Gov. Carver and freemen of the town of 
Plymouth: Since we saw the Indian spies I have made 
the following preparations against an attack: We have 
cleaned our guns and moulded fresh bullets; there is a 
good supply of ammunition on hand; lastly, all the men 
who are old enough to bear arms have been formed into 
a military body and are drilling daily. During the month 
before the sailing of the Mayflower we completed our 
fort and mounted five cannon thereon. Those cannon 
command — 

(Carver starts suddenly to his feet with a sharp exclamation. At 
the same instant Alden cries, "To arms!" Standish wheels and confronts 
an Indian, who is standing silently in the open doorway at the left, 
in his hand a bow. He wears a feathered headdress. Some of the women 
cry out; the men spring for their guns. But the Indian checks the 
confusion by bringing his hand to his head in salutation.) 

Indian (his voice rings out): Welcome! 

(Several voices) : English ! He speaks our tongue ! 

Indian (advancing a few steps) : Samoset, friend of white man. 
Welcome ! 

Carver (extending his hand): Welcome, Samoset! 

Standish: Have a care; there may be treachery ! 



16 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER- 

Indian (advancing): I, Samoset, sachem of the Pemaquids. 

Carver: Whence come you? Live you near by? 

Indian (shaking his head): No. Massasoit, sachem of Wampanoag 
rule here. Massasoit here now. Come see white man. 

Standish (to Carver): I fear treachery. 

Carver: Methinks he speaketh in good faith. 

Winslow (stepping forward): I will go forth and meet the chief, 
Massasoit. 

Standish: Not so, Master Winslow; I, myself, will go. It is fitting 
that the risk be mine. 

Carver: Nay, Capt. Standish; we need you here with the colony 
until the danger be past. Since Master Winslow hath 
offered to act as ambassador in this matter we will 
accept his offer. 

Bradford: Methinks the venture is fraught with grave peril. Had 
we not better send an escort of soldiers with him? 

Samoset: Englishman safe. Samoset friend of white man. 

Winslow: Farewell; I will return anon. (He departs with the 
Indian.) 

Carver: Let us prepare to meet this chief with fitting ceremony. 
(The curtain jails to denote the passage of half an hour.) 

(The Spirit of the Past appears and speaks.) 

When Massasoit with the Pilgrims met. 

In sound and sight of the great listening sea 

That washed old England and New England shores. 

Then fear was turned to friendship signed and sealed. 

The vow held strong; a generation through 

The covenant of peace and faith was kept — • 

America's first treaty, long ago! 

(Curtain rises.) 

Bartle (rushing in) : From the hill above the brook I did spy Master 
Winslow returning in the company of many .savages ! 

Carver: Capt. Standish, take with thee a number of thy soldiers, 
and give them escort for the remainder of the way. 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 17 

(Standish issues a short order, and six men snatch up their guns 
and fall into position. They march out behind their leader. Carver 
leaves the room by the rear door. A short time passes, during which 
the company converse in low, excited tones. At length Bartle turns 
from the window with a quick signal.) 

Priscilla: They come 1 Let us make the room ready for this meeting 
of a governor and a chieftain. 

Mistress Carver: True; I will spread my best rug. And do you see 
what else is needed, Priscilla. (She beckons to two 
young girls, who follow her. ) 

(They return with the rug and spread it hastily. Under Priscilla's 
direction two boys bring the settle from the hearth and place it on 
the farther edge of the rug. They have scarcely finished their work 
when voices are heard without. Bartle swings wide the door, and the 
procession enters: Capt. Standish and his soldiers, Winslow and Massa- 
soit, Samoset and other Indians. Massasoit is dressed in striking cos- 
tume, with a headdress of bright feathers. Standish halts, gives an 
order, and the six soldiers separate into two lines, and presertt arms. 
Massasoit hesitates; then he stalks gravely forward between the two 
lines.) 

Winslow (to Samoset): Bid Massasoit seat himself, and summon 
his braves to take their places on either side of him. 

(Samoset interprets the request, and the other chief takes his seat on 
the bench. Winslow and Samoset stand close by. An outer door is flung 
open, and Gov. Carver, in full armor and wearing his sword, enters 
with his attendants. He approaches Massasoit, who rises with dignity 
and accepts his extended hand.) 

Carver (to Samoset): Say to Massasoit, the chief, that the 
governor of the colony of Plymouth salutes him in the 
name of King James the First of England, and desires to 
make a treaty of peace and friendship with him. 

(Samoset interprets the words to Massasoit. The chief replies with a 
few guttural words; then he lifts one hand above his head in a stately 
gesture. Gov. Carver raises his own hand in a like gesture. The people 
press eagetly forward; the governor and the chief stand silent in that 
position for the space of ten seconds.) 

(Gov. Carver lowers his hand and points to the settle; Massasoit sits 
down, and the governor seats himself on a chair, facing him.) 

Carver (turning to Winslow) : Bring hither the gifts. 

(Winslow enters the house and returns with a haversack which he 
places upon the rug before the settle. Opening it he draws out two 
knives which he places before the chief, then a long copper chain 
which he presents to Massasoit with a low bow. Massasoit receives it 
with a grunt of acknowledgment. Winslow then produces a long string 
of beads which he places with great ceremony on the rug beside the 



18 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 

knives. Finally he takes a red cape from the haversack and, approach- 
ing the chief, places it upon his shoulders. Massasoit rises slowly in 
acknowledgment, takes a peace pipe from his belt and passes it to 
Gov. Carver.) 

Samoset: It is the peace pipe! 

(Curtain.) 

(The Spirit of the Past appears and speaks.) 

That summer passed in rain and shine. 
In autumn, where their feet had been. 
The hills were bright with corn and vine ; 
The people brought their harvest in. 
For ruddy fruit and golden grain, 
For shelter from the storm and stress, 
For peace and plenty after pain. 
Their hearts bowed down with thankfulness. 
They had not dreamed their dream in vain ! 
November skies bent kind though gray 
Above that first Thanksgiving Day. 



EPISODE IV. 

THE FIRST TH.'VNKSGrVING. 

The same setting as in Episode I. 
(Bradford, now governor, enters with two youths.) 

Bradford: Master Allen and Master Rowland, summon the people 
to this place. I have a matter of importance to lay 
before them. 

(The young men hurry out. Soon a drum is heard, and shortly the 
Pilgrims begin to gather. When all the people have come Gov. Bradford 
walks forward to the centre of the clearing. He raises his hand.) 

Bradford: It seemeth fit that we should appoint a special day of 
Thanksgiving, to be spent in prayer and praise to our 
God for his great mercy in bringing us through the past 
year. We should lift up our hearts in thankfulness that 
the seed which we planted ripened duly and brought us 
a harvest. We have met with many and great troubles 
during this first year of our sojourn in a strange land. 
We have suffered cold, peril, hunger and disease. (He 
stops and bows his head.) It hath pleased our Maker to 
take half of our number to their heavenly home. But 
we have had many and great mercies. Surely the Lord 
will abundantly recompense us, in his own way, for all 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 19 

the sorrows that we have endured. Let us, then, in a 
special manner rejoice and give thanks. For, since by the 
goodness of God our corn and barley have prospered, I 
have summoned King Massasoit with his warriors to 
feast with us for three days. 

(He lowers his hand and turns to Capt. Standish): Wilt thou send 
four men fowUng, that we may have geese, ducks, veni- 
son and wild turkey for the feast? 

Standish (stepping forward): We will bring in a goodly supply 
of game. Master Alden, Master Howland, Master 
Goodman and Master Fletcher! (The four youths step 
forward.) I appoint you to go fowhng for our feast of 
thanksgiving. 

Bradford: To the women we will leave the duties of preparing 
the feast. 

Priscilla (curtsying): May it please you, sir. Master Alden hath 
brought me a new kind of meat from the sea, which the 
Indians have showed him. Methinks it was called oysters 
in Ley den. Mayhap if these oysters were compounded 
with crumbs and spices they would make a savory dish 
for our table. 

Bradford: Excellent, Mistress Priscilla! Right well I know that 
we can trust thy cookery. 

Elizabeth Tillie (curtsying): And I can bring a goodly supply of 
grapes and wild plums from the forest, for John How- 
land hath shown me where they do grow. 

Bradford: Good! We shall have fruit as well as meal and meat. 
And now, ere we disperse, let us begin our preparations 
for this feast of thanksgiving with a few words of Holy 
Writ. (He opens the Bible, and lays it before him on the 
upright tree stump.) 

(He begins to read) : "The Lord brought us forth out of Egypt . . . 
And He hath brought us into this place, and hath given 
us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and 
honey. And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits 
of the land, which Thou, O Lord, hast given me. And 
thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God and worship 
before the Lord thy God." 

(As he closes the volume an Indian rushes in and stands before him.) 

Bradford: Squanto, what brings thee in such feverish haste? 

Squanto (turning and pointing toward the sea): Ship! Big ship be- 
yond Manomet ! 

Bradford (starting): A ship? 



20 THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER " 

Squanto: Coming fast! Like bird in the wind! 

(The compan>' rise hastily and hurry to an opening in the trees.) 

Bradford (turning to the others): But we expect no ship; it is not 
yet time for the Mayflower to return. Standish, what 
thinlc^'ou ? 

Standish: Perchance a privateer coming to harry us. Every man 
to arms ! We will repair at once to the fort and be 
ready to train our guns on the vessel when she enters 
the harbor ! 

Alden (running in) : Here is thy glass, captain. Mayhap thou canst 
see her flag as she rounds Manomet Point ! 

Standish: Thou art ever ready, Alden. (He lifts the glass; the rest 
of the company strain their eyes for a glimpse of the 
ship.) 

(Several): Canst see her? Canst see her yet? 

Standish: Ay, she is rounding the point in full sail now. But she 
flies no flag. 

Alden: I see her, I see her ! She looks not like a French ship, nor yet 
a Dutch. 

Standish: She is laying her course straight into the harbor. To the 
fort to train the guns! But stay, she is unfurling her 
flag. (With a shout.) England! The flag of England! 

(All join in the cry of England! England! The men wave their hats, 
the women their hands.) 

Bradford (snatching the glass from Standish and setting it to his 

eye): I can see her name — "tis the Fortune. She is 

bringing our own people to us.T would I could make 
out the decks ! 

Priscilla (embracing Mistress Brewster): Belike thy children are 
aboard — Fear and Patience coming to thee at last ! 

Mistress Brewster (wiping her eyes): Nay, nay; 'tis too good, it 
cannot be ! 

Another Pilgrim: And my good wife will be aboard, and our little 
son! 

A Maid: I see my brother! He did promise he would come! 

(Sobbing and laughing in their joy, they all hurry out of sight.) 

(As the voices die away in the distance a shaft of sunlight falls on 
the stump, across the pages of the Bible. At the same moment the 



THE COMING OF THE MAYFLOWER 21 

Guardian Spirit of the Pilgrims appears in the bacicground. Soft music 
is heard while she recites The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, by Mrs. 
Hemans. At the close of the poem she moves slowly forward and, 
taking her stand at one side of the rude pulpit, speaks again.) 

Guardian Spirit: Out of the holy faith and steadfast courage of 
these lives the spirit of America was born. 

(Soft strains of My Country, 'Tis of Thee are heard. Then America, 
a young woman in white robes, with red and white stripes draped 
across her breast from the right shoulder, and a dark blue coronet 
covered with stars on her head comes slowly forward from the 
left, and stands in the shaft of light with her right hand on the open 
Bible.) 

America (turning to the Guardian Spirit) : 

O mother of my life ! 

Spirit of Liberty, that gave me birth 

Here in this wilderness, 

Fling wide the curtain of the years to come, ■ 

That I may see the things that are to be ! 

GuARDMN Spirit: 

Lift up your eyes, America ! Behold, 

As the years pass, a mighty, questing throng, 

Men who have broken ancient bonds, shall crowd, 

— A host of eager pilgrims — unto thee. 

Thy house shall be a great abiding place. 

Its fair foundations and its mighty walls 

Laid, stone on stone, by men of every race. 

Its roof shall be a shelter and its hearth 

A home for the wayfarers of the world; 

And on its open portals there shall flame 

Imperishable words that all may read: 

LIBERTY, JUSTICE, MERCY, BROTHERHOOD ! 

(Voices are heard singing in chorus, behind the scenes, America the 
Beautiful. During the hymn America still stands with her hand upon 
the Bible and her eyes fixed on the distance. The Guardian Spirit stands 
a little behind and above her in a protecting attitude.) 



(Curtain.) 



The audience rises and sings, to the air of Duke Street, The May- 
flower Still is Sailing On, the Pilgrim Anniversary Hymn by Allen 
Eastman Cross. 



22 THE COMING OF THE! MAYFLOWER 

More light shall break, from out thy word 
For Pilgrim followers of the Gleam, 

Till, led by thy free spirit, Lord, 

We see and share the Pilgrim dream ! 

What mighty hopes are in our care. 

What holy dreams of" Brotherhood, 

God of our fathers help us dare 

Their passion for the common good ! 

Wild roars the blast, the storm is high ! 

Above the storm are shining still 
The lights by which we live and die; 

Our peace is ever in thy will ! 

The ancient stars, the ancient faith. 
Defend us till our voyage is done — 

Across the floods of fear and death 
The Mayflower still is sailing on ! 




LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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